Spanish referee Gil Manzano chosen for big France vs. Italy Nations League MD3

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Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano will officiate the Nations League match between France and Italy on Friday, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez as the VAR.

It kicks off at the Stade de France Saint-Denis in Paris on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

The Azzurri are playing catch-up in Group A after the initial 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, then beat Turkiye 4-1 away.

France are running away at the top on a 100 per cent record, thanks to slender 1-0 victories on Turkish and Belgian soil.

Gil Manzano referee for France vs. Italy

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Referee Jesus Gil Manzano gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

UEFA have assigned an all-Spanish team of officials for this match, headed by referee Jesus Gil Manzano.

He is assisted by Guadalupe Porras Ayuso and Raul Cabanero, with Juan Martinez Munuera as the fourth official.

The VAR is Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez, aided by Valentin Gomez.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 03: Referee Jesus Gil Manzano looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 03: Referee Jesus Gil Manzano looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Gil Manzano is 42 years old and has already officiated Italy twice at senior level, a 1-0 win over England in the 2022 Nations League, and a 0-0 European Championship qualifying draw against Ukraine in November 2023.

His record with France is three victories and a 2-0 friendly defeat to Germany in March 2024.

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